Why Did 450 Homemade Tamales Just Get Seized At LAX Airport?

You know things are getting serious with border protection when bringing in tamales from Mexico is considered illegal.

An unidentified passenger tried to bring home 450 tamales from Mexico, but got blocked real quick when US Customs and Border Protection got word of it at LAX, according to Los Angeles Times.

Chicken and beef products are usually in the clear, as far as transporting them from Mexico, but the problem came from the pork tamales, which can be a health hazard according to Customs.

Bringing in meat from other countries can be a tricky thing, and when dealing with these cases, US Customs takes into account the possible spread of diseases such as Avian and Swine Flu.

The passenger had the tamales neatly wrapped in plastic bags and packed inside luggage, then they were promptly confiscated and destroyed.

Not only did the passenger lose all the tamales, but was fined $1,000 because they figured that many tamales were being brought in to be sold, which is a no-no.

Of course they could have just made the tamales in the US, but maybe saying they’re straight from Mexico let’s them drive up the price.

Either way, 450 of abuelita’s tamales just went to waste.

450 illegal tamales from Mexico destroyed after being seized at LAX: @CustomsBorder https://t.co/Tg56VX51rC pic.twitter.com/gzY05ZMxiQ

— KTLA (@KTLA) November 18, 2015